Abstract: A selective polymer-wrapping process is disclosed which is capable of exclusively wrapping radioactive particles from solid waste streams at room temperature. Accordingly, separation of wrapped radioactive particles from unwrapped non-radioactive particles is facilitated. The method includes exposing radioactive particles or material, alone or in combination with other materials, to a precursor monomer solution that is capable of polymerizing due to the inherent radiation of the radioactive material, whereby the radioactive material is partially or totally encapsulated in the resultant polymer.

Abstract: A hybrid electrochemical cell system is provided. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a cathode, an electrolyte, and a plurality of anode portions. A first anode portion is in ionic communication with the cathode via the electrolyte, and a second anode portion in ionic communication with the cathode via the electrolyte. The first anode portion, the electrolyte, and the cathode form a power generating electrochemical cell. Further, the second anode portion, the electrolyte, and the cathode form an auxiliary electrochemical cell. In another embodiment, separate cathode portions are provided.

Abstract: An anode structure for a metal air electrochemical cell is provided. The structure includes a plurality of compartments, which are at least partially isolated from one another. A metal air cell using the anode structure includes the anode structure having one or more of the compartments partially filled with anode material, a cathode in ionic communication with the anode material, and a separator electrically isolating the cathode and the anode material. The volume of anode material included in the one or more compartments is preferably based on the expected expansion of the anode material.

Abstract: A metal air cell system is provided. The system includes a cathode having a pair of oxidant sides and anode sides. An anode is provided in two parts, each part having a side complementary each anode side of the cathode. A separator is disposed between the anode and cathode to electrically isolate the anode and the cathode. Electrolyte is disposed between the cathode and the anode, the electrolyte provided within the anode, separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode, or both within the anode and separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode. This configuration generally allows a single oxidant flow to be exposed to both portions of the cathode due to the central passage of the oxidant.

Abstract: The polymer matrix material includes a polymerization product of one or more monomers selected from the group of water-soluble, ethylenically-unsaturated acids and acid derivatives, and a crosslinking agent. A quantity of water is used for polymerization, such that the polymer material is swelled to a defined volume upon curing. Optionally, a water-soluble or water-swellable polymer and/or a chemical polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A metal air cell system comprises a frame structure configured with variable airflow paths. The variable airflow paths provide alternatives between direct open loop airflow and semi-closed loop air flow, wherein air is at least partially circulated around the cell components. This is particularly useful for operation in different temperature environments. The open loop mode is useful for high temperature environments, and the semi-closed loop mode is useful for low temperature environments.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell system is provided. The system includes a plurality of cells, wherein each cell is comprised of a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode electrically isolated from the second electrode. The cell system may be discharged upon application of a load across a discharge circuit, which is formed from the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The cell may be recharged upon application of a voltage across a recharging circuit, which is formed of at least one of the first electrodes and at least one of the third electrodes.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell systems are disclosed herein that are capable of selective ionic isolation, oxidant isolation, oxidant removal, moisture control, and combinations thereof. Selective ionic isolation is generally effectuated by selectively eliminating or minimizing ionic communication between an anode and a cathode of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: Flow through capacitors are described herein having improved capabilities. In general, asymmetric flow through capacitors are formed, increasing overall capacitance. The asymmetry may be accomplished by utilizing electrodes of different materials, different dimensions, or the same materials with different capacitance properties.

Abstract: Fuel cells (e.g., air-depolarized fuel cells) are stacked, supported and electrically interconnected into a battery structure with a connector block. The anode and cathode elements of each fuel cell are provided with conductive terminating elements (e.g., plug connectors), preferably extending in downward “U” shaped configuration from the upper ends of the anode and cathode elements respectively. The connector block comprises a series of conductive apertures, positioned and sized, to accommodate the conductive terminating elements of the anodes and cathodes therein. When the conductive terminating elements of the anodes and cathodes are slidably engaged with the conductive apertures of the connector block, the connector block mechanical support the anodes and cathode so engaged.

Abstract: An oxygen enrichment system is provided. The system includes an electrochemical cell for generating oxygen from ambient air. The electrochemical cell extracts oxygen from ambient air based on hydroxide conduction. A mixer is provided in fluid communication with ambient air, and an outlet provides oxygen enriched air to a user or air-breathing apparatus. In further embodiments, a purification system is also included. The air enrichment system may be employed with suitable batteries to provide a portable air enrichment device.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically reducing glare produced from a spatial scene by reducing the intensity of light rays propagating from points in the three-dimensional spatial scene towards an optical element having a field of view. Further, an apparatus is provided that automatically reduces interfering illumination produced from an illumination source by reducing the intensity of light rays propagating from the illumination source towards a sensor having a field of view of radio communication. Both apparatus include an electro-optical element having an optically transparent surface including a plurality of pixels through which the field of view of the optical element or the sensor passes. Each pixel has a controllable light transmittance for selectively reducing the intensity of incident light rays propagating from one or more points from the illumination source, through the pixel, then towards the sensor or optical element.

Abstract: A reflective strain gauge includes an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection or transmission grating capable of reflecting or transmitting light of a selected wavelength, and means for adhering the film to a surface of a workpiece for monitoring the strain at said surface. A change in the nature of the reflected light is an indication of strain. Also included is a polarizing material having an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection grating capable of reflecting light of a selected wavelength, wherein the reflection grating of the H-PDLC film is oriented, such that the refractive index parallel to said axis of orientation (ne) is greater than the refractive index perpendicular to said axis (no).

Abstract: Disclosed are super broadband circularly polarizing film materials and novels methods of fabricating and using the same. The circularly polarizing materials are made from a film of material, such as a CLC polymer having a cholesteric order, in which a liquid crystal material, such as a nematic liquid crystal material, is distributed in a non-linear fashion across the thickness of the film in a plurality of liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted sites in the CLC polymer. The pitch of the helices of the CLC molecules in the polyermized CLC material varies in a non-linear (e.g. exponential) manner along the depth dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. The resulting circularly polarizing materials have reflection and transmission characteristics over bands of operation approaching 2000 nm. Depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for separating a first gas from a mixture of gas is provided, particularly for separating oxygen from air. The cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a hydroxide-conducting membrane between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment addresses the problem of delivering stereoscopic media in electronic form (images, videos, animations, object models, etc.). First, it provides a single format with independent right and left channels to represent the stereoscopic media. Second, it provides a means of displaying stereoscopic media inside a movable windowed area while eliminating pseudostereo conditions during movement. Third, it provides automatic and manual optimization adjustments (parallax shift adjustment, brightness control, color adjustment, and cross-talk reduction) to the stereoscopic media based on viewing hardware, monitor size, and media content for optimal viewing quality. Fourth, it provides seamless support for monoscopic (2D) viewing modes allowing delivery of said stereoscopic media in a normal 2D viewing mode.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel reflective microflakes for use in making “additive-primary” coloring media having improved reflection characteristics over the red, green and blue super-bright color characteristics, and “super-white” coloring media having Magnesium-Oxide like color characteristics. The coloring media of the present invention provides a palette of colors for imparting color characteristics or forming color images upon surfaces of arbitrary surface geometry. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the microflakes are made from cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material, wherein the pitch of the helices of the liquid crystal molecules in each CLC microflake varies along the thickness dimension (i.e. transverse to the surface) thereof. Depending on the final spiral structure of the materials utilized, the CLC circularly polarizing materials reflect either left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the invention permits an extension of battery life through detection of the display synchronization signals of a computer and a power management system. The power management system also eliminates need for batteries through use of a 5V power source from pin 9 of the VGA port. A second embodiment improves the ease of use and the utility of the 3D system through removable glasses with improvements over the previous design. These embodiments have improved manufacturability through the use of design that is tolerant of poor quality, low cost components with low electrical tolerances.

Abstract: A power generating system is described including a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells are generally arranged in sections that are selectively activated individually or in combination to produce power from selected cell sections. A method of generating power is also described. A first group of one or more electrochemical cells of an array of cells are selectively activated based on requirement of an associated load. The system switches to a second group of one or more electrochemical cells of the array when the first group is discharged.